2024-07-13 01:00:06
“We are witnessing the destruction of a nation. » The feeling of Isabelle, the self-employed, is widespread among the inhabitants of New Caledonia. Born in France, this graphic designer spent more than twenty years in the area and has just decided to leave Le Caillou. He shared offices with ten freelancers who, like him, saw their paperwork reduced, by 50% in the best case. Many of them are planning to leave, in addition, without counting in the official figures, to the great wave of unemployment following the destruction of businesses, businesses and public infrastructure which has hit New Caledonia since the 13th May.
The island of 270,000 inhabitants, whose annual GDP is about eight billion euros, is experiencing a real disaster which should push 24,000 New Caledonians into unemployment in a very short time, according to the home accepted by the authorities. This represents more than a third of the approximately 68,000 workers in the private sector. The loss of wages and the many expected layoffs will significantly affect the workforce. This represents around 60% of the development of the archipelago, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies.
“In New Caledonia, the riots occurred when the economic situation in the region was even sadder and its prospects were uncertain, linked to the crisis in the nickel industry.”underlines the Overseas Issue Center of the Banque de France, in its latest economic report published on July 11.
Since the beginning of the events, the government of New Caledonia has organized an economic chapter which updates the cost of the crisis. At the end of June, the amount of damage, which is still provisional, is estimated at more than 2.2 billion euros for the public and the private sector, without considering the work losses of companies. The financial needs of the region are also estimated at 675 million euros.
“Blacklisted by shipping companies”
After being at a complete standstill for more than six weeks, economic activity is essentially at a standstill. All operational sectors cannot resume, with expected knock-on effects on businesses not directly affected. This is the case for travel, but also for the nickel industry, which has come to a complete standstill since May 13, which represents almost one in four jobs on Caillou. The closure of contractors and the loss of suppliers will complicate a possible recovery.
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